Suspect in tot’s death pleads not guilty

LORAIN — A Cleveland man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son pleaded not guilty to murder charges Friday in Lorain Municipal Court.

Damien Hiley, 21, was issued a $1 million bond when he appeared before Judge Mark Mihok during a short arraignment. He was taken in handcuffs back to the county jail.

Hiley

Hiley was baby-sitting Nicolas Shaw on Monday morning at the Pin Oak Drive apartment where Nicolas and his mom live, according to police. Nicolas’ mother, 23-year-old Candice Shaw, was at work at the time.

Later that morning, Hiley and Shaw rushed Nicolas to St. John West Shore Hospital in Westlake and the boy was transported to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland. Nicolas died there early Tuesday from multiple blunt force injuries to his head and chest, according to the Cuyahoga County coroner.

Lorain police were notified of the incident by Lorain County Children Services on Monday evening. Children Services spokeswoman Patti-Jo Burtnett said the agency had no contact with the family before this week.

Police interviewed Hiley on Thursday and charged him shortly after, Lorain police Capt. Russ Cambarare said. Although he would not discuss what Hiley said during the interview, Cambarare said Hiley was remorseful when speaking with officers. Shaw and her family have declined comment, but teachers and staff at the Horizon Activities Center on Colorado Avenue, where

Nicolas attended daycare said Nicolas was a sweet boy who was always happy and smiling when Shaw dropped him off.

Nicolas is the second Lorain child to die this year as the result of alleged child abuse.

Jayden Davidson, an 8-month-old boy, died from severe head and brain injuries that police suspect occurred while a family friend was baby-sitting him on June 26.